About & Out – What’s Hot In SoCal Jazz – Week Of February 3, 2025

SoCal jazz highlights this week include Christian McBride, Samara Joy, Lakecia Benjamin, Peter Erskine w/Bob Mintzer, One Shot Deal, Alfredo Rodriguez, John Escreet, Scott Kinsey, Michelle Coltrane, Gunhild Carling, and Carol Welsman.

Please see the online version of About & Out for updated information throughout the week at lajazzpicks.com. It’s a good idea to check with venues directly for any last minute changes and/or cancellations before heading out. The LAjazz.com Quick Calendar lists shows and times three days in advance on the LAjazz.com home page.

Monday 2/3 – Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet at The Baked PotatoGuitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank lead a quartet at The Baked Potato in Studio City featuring pianist Tamir Hendelman and drummer Ryan Shaw. Vocalist Rickie Lee Jones is at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Saxophonist Michael Lington and vocalist Ruben Stoddard are at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. The New Orleans Songbook is at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Springs. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Molly Miller is at Perch in downtown L.A. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. The Harry Selvin Orchestra is at the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.

Tuesday 2/4 – Brian Clemens Big Band w/Tawanda at Campus Jax

Pianist Brian Clemens leads a big band at Campus Jax in Newport Beach with vocalist Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim. Bassist Hadrien Feraud is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Vocalist Michelle Coltrane is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Saxophonist Isiah Collier is at The Loft at UCSD San Diego. Violinist Nora Germain is at Bar Lubitsch in West Hollywood. Saxophonist Christopher McBride hosts the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Kat Edmondson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Trumpeter/vocalist Matt Von Roderick is at The Drake in Laguna Beach.  Vocalist Jessica Vautor is at Tavern on Brand in Glendale. Drummer Marcelo Bucater is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown Los Angeles. Vocalist Slim Man is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Vocalist Rose Mallet is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Il Sogno Italiano in San Diego. Pianist Derrik Lewis plays a happy hour show at The Tropicale in Palm Springs. Flutist/vocalist Gil Tower is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/5 – Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix at The Soraya

Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix open a two-night (Wed-Thu) run at The Soraya in Northridge. Keyboardist Scott Kinsey is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Keyboardist Miles Lennox is at Sam First in West L.A. Trumpeter/vocalist Gunhild Carling is at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Carol Welsman is at 1881 in Pasadena. Guitarist Shea Welsh is at TRiP in Santa Monica. Bassist Wojtek Mazolewski is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Vocalist/keyboardist Tim Hockenberry is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Jazz Under Ground presents a Galentine’s Day jazz event at The Stowaway in downtown L.A. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at Eddie V’s in Palm Desert. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. Drummer Tom Dante is at the Gaslamp in Long Beach. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Keyboardist Brad Bietry hosts a happy hour open mic and jam session at The George in Pasadena. Pianist Kevin Tokarz plays a happy hour show at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. The Flight 584 Big Band is at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. Jumpin’ Joz is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Bryan McCann is at Cafe Fiore in Ventura.

Thursday 2/6 – One Shot Deal at The Baked Potato

One Shot Deal opens a three-night (Thu-Sat) run at The Baked Potato in Studio City playing the music of Frank Zappa with Scheila Gonzalez on sax/Keys/vocals, Joe Travers on drums/vocals, Ben Thomas on trumpet/vocals, Pete Griffin on bass, Jamie Kime on guitar, Billy Hulting on vibes/percussion, and Matt Rohde on keys. Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin & Phoenix are at The Soraya in Northridge. Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez is at UCSD’s The Loft in San Diego. Saxophonist Shai Golan is at Sam First near LAX. Saxophonist Daniel Rotem is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Andy Garcia & The Cineson All-Stars are at Catalina in Hollywood. The Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Pianists Stephanie Trick and Paolo Alderighi are at Dizzy’s in San Diego. Bassist Rob Thorsen is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego. Pianist/vocalist Yve Evans is at The Merc in Temecula. Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley is at the Continental Club in downtown L.A. The Irvine Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Four and More are at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Sylvia & The Rhythm Boys are at Meet In Paris Restaurant & Lounge in Culver City. Saxophonist David Patterson is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts an evening outdoor patio jam session for instrumentalists. The ESP Jazz Collective is at the Black Rail Kitchen & Bar in Carlsbad. Pianist Richard Turner, Jr. is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. The West Coast Jazz Duo is at Stella’s in Dana Point. Vocalist Jenessa Noland does a late afternoon show at California English in San Diego.

Friday 2/7 – Christian McBride & Ursa Major at The Soraya

Bassist Christian McBride & Ursa Major are at The Soraya in Northridge for the first of two nights (Fri-Sat). Vocalist Samara Joy is at Walt Disney Hall in downtown L.A. Pianist John Escreet is at Sam First near LAX. One Shot Deal plays the music of Frank Zappa at The Baked Potato in Studio City. Pianist Alfredo Rodriguez is at Spanos Hall at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Pianist/vocalist Kelly Green is at The Grape in Ventura. Keyboardist David Garfield is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin is at UCSB Campbell Hall in Santa Barbara. Soul Sauce is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Multi-instrumentalist Justin Lee Schultz is at the Moroccan Lounge in downtown L.A.  The Greyboy All-Stars are at Lodge Room in Highland Park. Vocalist Janis Mann is at the Canyon Bistro in Topanga. Vocalist Amanda Castro is at the Mission Playhouse in San Gabriel. Saxophonist Chazzy Green is at Collage in San Pedro. Guitarist/vocalist Runson Willis is at The World Stage in South L.A. Vocalist Dan Olivo is at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Pianist Adam Wolff is at Golden Island in San Diego. Guitarist Zo Shah is at Books & Records in San Diego. The Catalina Combo is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Saxophonist Justin Klunk is at Spaghettini in Seal Beach. Trumpeter Clarence McDuffie III is at Panama 66 in San Diego. Guitarist Jack Riordan is at Libretto in Paso Robles.  Drummer Joel Taylor is at 1881 in Pasadena.  Guitarist Doug MacDonald is at Vicky’s Of Santa Fe in Indian Wells with vocalist Robin Adler and pianist Barnaby Finch. Francesca Amari. Pianist Ron Kobayashi is at the Bayside Restaurant in Newport Beach. Guitarist Angelo Metz is at Native Fields in Walnut. The Route 66 Trio is at Bourbon Steak in Glendale. The Sunny Blue Trio is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. LeJazzanne is at the Z Club in Joshua Tree. Bassist Doug Walker plays a late night set at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego.

Saturday 2/8 – Peter Erskine at Sam First

Drummer Peter Erskine leads a trio at Sam First near LAX with guest saxophonist Bob Mintzer, pianist Alan Pasqua, and bassist Darek Oles. Bassist Christian McBride & Ursa Major are at The Soraya in Northridge. One Shot Deal plays the music of Frank Zappa at The Baked Potato in Studio City.  Saxophonist Isaiah Collier is at The World Stage in South L.A.  Trumpeter Tony Guerrero is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Andrea Miller. Pianist Alex Bugnon is at Camila’s Jazz Club in Montclair. Pianist John Escreet is at Libretto in Paso Robles. Bassist/vocalist Casey Abrams hosts a birthday jam session at The Troubadour in West Hollywood.  Guitarist Grant Geissman is at the Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo.  The Aristocats are at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Pianist Joe Rotondi is at Eddie V’s in El Segundo. Trumpeter John Reynolds is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vibraphonist Nathan Hubbard is at Dizzy’s in San Diego. The Soto Six are at Panama 66 in San Diego. Vocalist Angela O’Neill & The Outrageous 8 are at the Mayflower Club in North Hollywood. Bassist Karim Yengsep is at Basil Brazil in San Juan Capistrano. Pianist Adam Wolff is at the Westgate Hotel in San Diego. Saxophonist David Leech is at Pips On La Brea in West L.A. Jerry Costanzo & His Gotham City Swingers are at Cicada in downtown L.A. Vocalist Mercedes Moore is at The Jazz Lounge in San Diego. Vocalist Whitney Shay is at Lou Lou’s in San Diego.

Sunday 2/9 – The Ithaca Trio at The Baked Potato

The Ithaca Trio is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Jason Harnell on drums, Adam Benjamin on keys, and Storm Nilson on guitar.  Drummer Eric Ching is at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. Pianist Emile Welman is at Vibrato in Bel Air with vocalist Maeve Riley. The South Bay New Orleans Jazz Club is at Alvas Showroom in San Pedro for an afternoon show featuring the Pepper Moons. Pianist Diego Gaeta is at Bub & Grandma’s in Eagle Rock. Drummer/vocalist Bryan Cabrera is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with pianist Ron Kobayashi. Pianist Sam Hirsh is at the Kookaburra Lounge in Hollywood. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. Guitarist Jacques Lesure is at Lavender Blue in Inglewood. Pianist Irving Flores is at Madison On Park in San Diego. Bassist Ryan Cross is at Delilah in West Hollywood. Pianist Richard Glaser is at The Barkley in South Pasadena. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra with vocalist Andrea Miller. The World Stage in South L.A. hosts the Rose Gales Vocal Jam Session. The Jelly Roll Jazz Band is at Casey’s Tavern in Canoga Park. Guitarist Tom Collins is at the Ojai Pub in Ojai. The Hard Bop Ensemble is at The Copper Room in Yucca Valley. Guitarist Doug MacDonald leads a jazz jam at Z Club in Joshua Tree. Pianist/vocalist Wayne Wilentz and drummer/vocalist Dave Tull have the afternoon brunch at the Urban Press Winery in Burbank. Vocalist Lia Booth has the early jazz brunch at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach. Vocalist Janis Mann does a brunch at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Monday 2/10 – Joey Navarro at The Baked Potato

Keyboardist Joey Navarro is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Brandon Fields on sax, Joey De Leon on percussion, Augtion Mario Quiroga on guitar, Chris Trujillo on drums, and Rene Camacho on bass. Saxophonist Ted Taforo is at The High Low in Atwater Village. Guitarist Jacques Lesure hosts a jam session at the Lighthouse in Hermosa Beach including drummer Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Guitarist Riner Scivally is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. Bassist Ryan Cross’ Jazz Eclectic is at Riviera 31 at the Beverly Hills Sofitel Hotel. The Hot Club of Los Angeles is at the Cinema Bar in Culver City. Very Good Mondays is at Gold-Diggers in Hollywood. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at Eddie V’s in San Diego. The SBCC Monday Madness Jazz Orchestra is at SOhO in Santa Barbara.

Tuesday 2/11 – Benny Rietveld at The Baked Potato

Bassist Benny Rietveld is at The Baked Potato in Studio City with Aaron Janik on trumpet, Joakim Toftgaard on trombone, Alex Budman and Phillip Whack on saxes, Kenny Echzien on guitar, Joey Navarro on keys, Chamo Suarez on percussion, and Makani Eliot on drums.  Composer/pianist Kris Bowers is at The Wallis’ Lovelace Studio Theater in Beverly Hills.  Guitarist Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra are at Belly Up in Solana Beach. Saxophonist Devin Daniels leads the Tuesday Happenings jam session at Sam First near LAX. Vocalist Veronica Swift is at the Music Box in San Diego. Pianist Joshua White is at the Senses Bistro in San Diego. Trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith is at Monk Space in Downtown L.A.  The Dresden in Los Feliz hosts a benefit for fire victims.  The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Vocalist Jennifer Leigh Warren is at La Puglia in Santa Monica. Vocalist Adam “Aejaye” Jackson is at Vibrato in Bel Air. Saxophonist Derek Douget is at SOhO in Santa Barbara. Vocalist Keri Kelsey hosts an open mic at The Gardenia in West Hollywood. The Irvine Barclay Jazz Band is at The Drake in Laguna Beach with vocalist Crystal Clulee. Keyboardist Sam Barsh is at Shoo Shoo Baby in downtown L.A. Vocalist Rose Mallett is at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. Pianist Mike Wofford is at the Manhattan in La Jolla. The Brig Band is at The Brig in Venice. Guitarist Matthew Yeakley hosts a jazz jam at General Lee’s in Chinatown. Pianist Matt Politano leads a breakfast jazz trio at Jones Coffee Roasters in Pasadena.

Wednesday 2/12 – Brian Swartz at Sam First

Trumpeter Brian Swartz is at Sam First near LAX with Keith Fiddmont on sax, Steve Cotter on guitar, Chris Colangelo on bass, and Kendall Kay on drums. Vocalist Veronica Swift is at the Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts. Drummer Jimmy Branly is at 1881 in Pasadena. Vocalist/keyboardist Tim Hockenberry is at The Baked Potato in Studio City. The Musical Theatre Guild holds a fire benefit at Catalina in Hollywood. Pianist/vocalist Christopher Linman is at The Drake in Laguna Beach. Pianist Michael LeVan is at Il Gatto in La Habra. Pianist Mikan Zlatkovich is at The Manhattan in La Jolla. The Barclay Theatre Jazz Band is at Bistango in Irvine. Guitarist David Eastlee is at Edwin Mills in Pasadena. The Soul Organ Trio is at Club 616 in Santa Ana. Keyboardist Brad Bietry hosts a happy hour open mic and jam session at The George in Pasadena. Pianist Kevin Tokarz plays a happy hour show at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. TUBOP is at Chapter One in Santa Ana. French vocal group Paris Chansons is at Vibrato in Bel Air.